THE power of social media was unleashed yesterday when Twitter users who prematurely speculated about the death of John McCarthy were brought into line by other users.

He was named by several prolific tweeters and some media outlets as the Power player who fell to his death, hours before the club had the chance to inform his close family and friends.

Social media users strongly rebuked others who revealed McCarthy's identity before Port Adelaide chief executive Keith Thomas made the official announcement at 4.15pm.

Women's Olympic basketballer Elizabeth Cambage felt the wrath of some of her 40,000 followers after she posted a tribute to the Power player.

"RIP John McCarthy so tragic and heartbreaking," she tweeted yesterday.

Ten minutes later, after being told she was out of line for naming the former Collingwood player, an apologetic Cambage swiftly deleted her tweet.

"Had no idea family wasn't informed, so sorry, clearly being handled very badly, apologies again," she wrote.

Former Power player turned American footballer Scott Harding and Power premiership player Toby Thurstans were two others who named McCarthy as part of their tweets honouring the popular footballer.

In a demonstration of the twittersphere's capacity for self-regulation, the majority of those tweets were deleted by mid-afternoon and McCarthy's name was respectfully left out of further tributes by prominent users.

Actor and devoted Port Adelaide fan Hugh Sheridan was among those to offer his condolences via Twitter.

"My thoughts are with everyone at our club. A tragic loss and so untimely. I hope the other boys @PAFC can get through this ok, I'm so sorry," Sheridan tweeted.

Hollywood actress Teresa Palmer was another big name to offer her support to the Alberton-based football club.